What does ventose mean?
Ventose has two closely related uses. As a historical noun, it names the second month of the French Revolutionary calendar, the system introduced during the French Revolution and used until the Republican calendar was abolished in 1805. Its dates correspond roughly to 21 February through 20 March, and references often give a date in the form “14 Ventose.” As an adjective, ventose means windy or characterized by wind, especially in literary or archaic contexts. The word comes through French from Latin ventosus, meaning “full of wind,” ultimately from ventus, “wind.” Its unusual combination of a calendar month and an ordinary adjective makes it a vivid example of how vocabulary preserves political and cultural history. Ventose is most likely to be encountered in historical writing, while the adjective is chiefly encountered in formal or poetic prose.
The second month of the French Revolutionary calendar, corresponding approximately to 21 February–20 March.
"The publication took place on 14 Ventose."
Usually capitalized and used in historical or specialized contexts.
Characterized by wind; windy.
"The ventose landscape was swept by strong gusts."
Rare, literary, and chiefly formal.
The plural is uncommon; most references use the singular month name in a date, such as “14 Ventose.”
"The documents mention several Ventoses in the revolutionary calendar."
Ventose was literally the “windy month” of the French Revolutionary calendar, a name that preserved its Latin roots in everyday historical dates.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ventose
English borrowed the word from French ventôse, the name of the French Revolutionary month. The French form comes from Latin ventosus, meaning “windy” or “full of wind,” which is derived from ventus, “wind.” The same Latin root underlies words such as vent, ventilate, and ventilation, although their meanings developed along separate paths.
How ventose is actually used
The noun is usually capitalized and appears mainly in historical or specialized discussion of the French Revolutionary calendar. The adjective is literary, uncommon, and distinctly formal.